Emigrant Peak Approach

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Great for wintertime cold pow or for spring corn as well.

From the "town" of Chico, drive up the dirt Emigrant Gulch Road for ~20 minutes. Park where the road splits, where the GPS track begins. I've only done this in the spring when the road is melted out enough, but you may have to park earlier depending on your car and if you hit any large winddrifts. You could also potentially keep on driving further, but it gets much rougher.

Walk across to the W side of the creek and continue on the old mining road. When we did it in April, pretty soon patches of snow will appear, you'll have to decide when it's worth it to start skinning. It's pretty flat and easy going. The road branches a time or two, stay on the branch in the creek bottom. Maybe a bike would be nice too?

Two miles from the car, start up the actual climb. See the GPS track. Follow a branch of the mining road uphill for a few switchbacks, then you'll break out left onto a wide open ramp that you'll follow for the next ~1,500 feet. This ramp is awesome, you can stay out of avalanche terrain the whole time and it's fantastic skiing on the way back down.

This track ends in an alpine bowl, with up to 2,000-foot lines surrounding you. From here, there are many options, including the classic SE Couloir of Emigrant Peak. There are some lower-angle options as well. Even if it looks bad/scary to continue higher, skiing back down the approach ramp is a nice day.